The Vicious Deep

When an unnatural riptide sweeps lifeguard Tristan Hart out to sea for three days and then dumps him back on the shore of Coney Island, it’s the start of the Sea Court claiming its own. Suddenly, Tristan’s girlfriend dramas and swimming championship seem like distant worries as he discovers the truth: he’s a Merman. Now Tristan must fight for his life, the lives of his friends, and his humanity (if he still wants it), while competing in a race for a throne as ancient as the gods. Like the seductive, duplicitous faeries of Wicked Lovely, these sirens of the deep have an agenda of their own.

Totally Captivating

I loved Disney's The Little Mermaid, but I'll admit that I've avoided reading YA mermaid books until now. Mostly because the idea of the sweet, sing-a-long tale was so entrenched in my head, I wasn't sure the idea of a mermaid story could translate well outside the realm of a story for young children.

I was wrong.

THE VICIOUS DEEP is a captivating book from the first page, and it left me desperately wanting the sequel. The writing is lovely--the way Tristan notices little details about other characters (especially about Layla) reminds me of Stephanie Perkins' writing, and that's high praise indeed. I was instantly in love with Tristan's voice, which is refreshingly, hilariously alllllll boy. And I found the entire world fascinating.

There were a few places where I felt we didn't quite get a transition where we needed one, or where the plot took a little bit of a leap and left us to connect the dots ourselves, but none of that took away from how fast I consumed this book. I absolutely loved it. Ms. Cordova is a fresh, strong new voice in YA fiction, and I will read anything she writes next.

Unique Twist on Mermaid Tale

After Tristan is almost killed during a freak riptide he finds out he's not like other teens. What happens next takes him on an adventure not for the faint of heart.

I have to admit this story kind of took me off guard. For one it's different than the usual mermaid YA stories out there right now. It's told through the POV of a guy, which gives this story an unique twist. The author nails the voice so it's believable and not forced.

I liked Tristan. His humor was refreshing. I did buy the whole clueless thing when he was around girls. Tristan kind of reminded me of that guy in high school I knew that hid his insecurities behind humor and off the wall comments. It was fun to see what really goes on behind that kind of behavior.

The dialogue is snappy and fast-paced. Another plus to this story has to be the world Zoraida Cordova created. It's very vivid with details of the mermaid's world to how they can shape shift around humans. Also we learn more about merman which hasn't really been addressed in recent mermaid stories.

Layla, Tristan's friend, at times is over the top strong willed but I think she does that to hide how she really feels around Tristan.

I did feel some of the plotting was a tad bit slow especially right after he finds himself in the hospital after his near death experience in the riptide. Also the story at times feel a little disjointed at times. Later, though the author weaves in more action that helps even that out.

Engaging, vivid tale that shows the mermaid world in a whole different light told through the eyes of a guy.

A Promising Debut

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova is an enticing new look at the myth of merfolk. I overall enjoyed the story, but I hit a few bumps along the way.

First off, the characters – I LOVED THEM. They were hands down my favorite part of the book. Layla was so spunky and awesome and rad. Thalia was pretty awesome as well. All the characters were basically just so charming. I am quite curious to see where some of the characters allegiances will lie in the next book.

I had a bit of trouble getting into The Vicious Deep as it started off. The story felt a bit disjointed, and I wasn’t really connecting with it. As the story built and more things were explained, I definitely got more into the story. I loved Zoraida Cordova‘s take on the mythology of mermaids, as it was very different from other tales I have read.

The Vicious Deep didn’t feel quite complete to me. A lot happened throughout the book, but I didn’t quite get the impression the characters had accomplished that much. I just wanted more to happen. I am very curious to see where the story will go from here, as I can only imagine it will pick up and get more awesome from here.

The Vicious Deep was a book that I did quite like. I had a few issues with the plot, but that didn’t make the story any less addicting. I could scarcely put it down. I can’t wait to follow up with this stellar cast of characters in The Savage Blue!

A very fast and fun read told from a boy/merman's POV

First, a little intro to our protagonist. Tristan is just your normal sixteen year old guy. He works as a lifeguard because as everyone knows, chicks love lifeguards, because "lifeguards are the more naked version of firemen - the girls just love the uniforms. In my case, the orange Speedo." His favourite things are the water, and, obviously, girls.

So anyway, one normal morning, while his best friend Layla and his ex Maddy gossip mean things about him, a freak storm appears out of nowhere. Everyone panics, and while trying to save a lady, Tristan is dragged out to sea and missing for three days. When he finally washes up on shore, Tristan can't remember a thing, except for weird dreams about a shark mermaid that he dismisses as a crazy dream (seriously, wouldn't you?) He feels different, but definitely not as different as when his legs fuse together and he becomes a merman and he discovers his mum used to be a mermaid and a naked guy appears in the bathtub (you'll understand that one when you read the book :P) And then of course, in case that wasn't enough, he discovers he is the grandson of the sea king.

I love Tristan because he could sometimes be pretty insensitive and lack tack, but he was really funny and he learned from his mistakes. He is arrogant and witty and thinking a lot about girls, which is exactly what I expect to be going through a teenage guy's mind. It's really hard to find a female author who can write such a convincing male part, so congratulations, Cordova. You have earned my respect.

Now, the love interest. In this case, his bestie Layla. You know how there are all those books out there where the female protagonist has a guy best friend and the best friend's in love with her but she doesn't notice? Of course you have. Well, this is kinda like that in that Tristan and Layla are best friends and Layla doesn't notice Tristan's in love with her. I liked this love thing (even though I usually hate it) because we finally get to see the best friend side of this annoying unrequited love thing that many YA books use. I loved the twist at the end () where Layla has feelings for Tristan as well but thinks he's doing some "mer-thing" to her and so now officially hates him for doing something he didn't actually do. Yep, annoying, right? ()

The ending was a little bit abrupt. It was like, yay, we found the first piece of the trident and then - THE END. I was like, okay, where are we going next guys, ooo great Flo- Oh. Okay then. Slam the door in my face, why don't you? Anyway.

In the Vicious Deep, Cordova creates an amazing sea world that I can picture perfectly, and great, funny characters to go with it. I can't wait for the next book where she will hopefully expand on this world and its characters.

Annoyed with the abrupt ending

I really have to start taking notes as I read. I read this book in one sitting then jumped right into a new book. Eight books later, I can hardly remember what I liked and didn't like about The Vicious Deep.

I do remember that I liked that this story is told from a merman's point of view. I'm glad that the menfolk are getting some representation in a female dominated genre. No need to be sexist, afterall. Tristan was pretty darn funny. He was arrogant and witty, just like you would expect most teenage boys to be. He was a 100% believable narrator.

Then there is Layla. I liked her a lot. She was strong-willed and independent. She was also not a mermaid. She found out about Tristan's secret, by pure chance. Of course, since it's been like 3 months since I read this book, I forgot why exactly I liked her other than those reasons.

I also want to point out that I enjoyed the world building. The descriptions of the merworld were great. It is so important to have a believable setting-- even in a fantasy type book. The old school rules of fighting for the tritan were pretty extreme, and added to the plot. There were a few characters that I didn't care for that kept hanging around, but whatever. I'm sure they will find their place somewhere in book 2.

But what really irked me about this story was the ending. Did anyone else think it ended too abruptly? I was crusing along enjoying the quest, when BAM. End of book one. Just like that too. I had to actually flip back a few pages to make sure I didn't skip something. I really thought I had missed a chapter or two. That was a huge disappointment. I love a good cliffhanger, but not when the story seems to hit a brick wall at 65 MPH. Of course, though, I'll have to read The Savage Blue because I need to know how and if Tristan can find the rest of the trident pieces.

a book that's a splash of fun

Book: Tristan Hart, a teen life guard.A tanned sarcastic dude with a great bod.[ girls i approve you all to go ga ga and drooling over him]. He’s living a great life, cool school swim team/life guard squad, great best friendfrend and a loving parents. But his life is not a calm sea anymore. He dissapears after a rescue in the crashing waves of a sudden storm. 3 days later ,he resurfaces on the beach at coney Island abd does not know what occurred on those days. His dreams are haunted by a terrifiying silver mermaid. He was claimed by the Sea and now it wants him Back.

This tail was sweet[ And so was his]. I’ve never been to brooklyn or coney island and only saw it in movies.But I could feel being at the beach and the brooklyn vibe.My mom visited brooklyn when she was younger so asked her how it was being at coney island. Z Cordova can create a atmosphere . Some parts in this book felt disney ish, darker disney but still fun, airy and a good hearted.

I bet you all know this is a mermaid book.[I think].I fell in love with merpeople through disney’s ariel [ I

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